Hey guys, I've been looking at buying an Audi for a while now and was curious as to what you guys think of this car.
1998 Audi A4 125,000 miles 1.8L Turbo Quattro Nice
I'm planning on calling in a little while. I'm just hoping to get a few opinions before I do.
Thanks

 

Interesting. I was going to comment on the usual dead pixles in the center LCD screen, but they didn't have LCD screens in the cluster in 98...

Apart from the missing lower valence in the front, the exterior looks in decent shape. At that mileage the timing belt should have been done at least once by now, so make sure to ask about it. If the owner can't produce records/receipts to prove that it was done, assume he's lying. Make sure you drive it. Listen for squeaks and clunks from the suspension/drivetrain, clicking/tapping from the engine, and any turbo noise. If it's mostly stock you should barely be able to hear the turbo.

All that said, the price is right. Just gotta make sure it's all on the up and up.

 

Oh, but some of them did it was an option for '97-'99.0. Seems like most cars didn't have one though.

 

Never knew that! Option as in you had to order it when you spec'd out your car at the dealer, or option as in some of the clusters just came with them? Every day's a school day

 

Think it was an option for when the car was ordered from a dealer. Or in my case it is a DIY add-on LOL.

 

If I knew any better, I would have gone one for a 2000 model or nothing later than a 1999.5.

Then you could do this retrofit =D and really make use of that LCD screen with NAV directions

 

Does the whole red coolant and fully synthetic oil apply with these cars too?

 

Coolant isn't as critical, so long as you DON'T mix G12 (pink) with the regular stuff. That will ruin your day. Always want to run full synthetic oil though. Pop the hood and take a look at the underside of the oil filler cap. If there's sludge in the motor there will be crap caked all over the underside of the cap.

 

Well, thank you for the replies. I just called an it's a no go. No service records for the car at all.

 

Then there is your opportunity to talk him down at least a grand,go to a Audi stealership and get a quote on a timing belt job and have them print it out,bring it with you to the dealer that is selling the Audi A4 and show him how much you'll have to spend to get it done.

Also tell him that these cars NEED to have the timing belt,water pump,tensioner,rollers,themastat and more done every 60.00 miles that is the honest truth!

Walk away from it if he doesn't want to come down on the price,even after you have shown him proof of the cost of a timing job and he hasn't shown you proof,that none of the above has been done.

Good luck!